ABSTRACT
Introduction: India, with its geographical diversity and diversity of people, faces a large number of disasters. People who have been affected by a disaster go through a variety of social, physical, psychological and economical problems. These problems immediately follow the event while socio-economic impacts like lack of employment, homelessness, environmental destruction and disorganization emerge as a consequence, following the devastation caused by the disaster. Level of effort put by the people for their own reconstruction, the pattern and amount of disability created due to these psychological stresses. For addressing these issues professionals in health and mental health must be required to have knowledge and abilities needed to work with disaster survivors. In this direction National Institute of Mental Health Neurosciences, Bengaluru in collaboration with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India has begun a series of capacity building programs.
Objectives: The objectives of the study were to transfer knowledge and skills on psychosocial care in disaster management to health and mental health professionals, to integrate it with the existing health care system and to develop a resourceful network of professionals who can be involved in various phases of disaster management including preparedness and response services.
Methods: A total of 34 training participants Balangir district, Odisha including Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatric social workers, and Medial Officers of Odisha were selected as the study population. The study followed pre and post without control group design. Data was collected using Disaster Opinion Questionnaire (DOC), Knowledge Level Questionnaire (KLQ), Semi structured questionnaire (SSQ) and Background information sheet. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: It was found that the respondents well received the information presented and participated actively in all activities during the training. The comparison of the respondents’ pre and post evaluation on the DOC, KLQ, and SSQ revealed that they had gained knowledge regarding psychosocial care services, principles, strategies, and procedures for disaster survivors. This transformation in understanding, attitude, skills, and behaviours was statistically significant.
Conclusion: There seems to be an immediate need to provide skills and knowledge to all stakeholders in government and non-government organizations in order to properly prepare communities for disasters and care for survivors during and after disasters. So training / capacity building program for Professionals in health and mental health plays an important role in making positive changes and bring knowledge about psychosocial care in disaster management.
